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February 15, 2006 The third annual Great Northwest Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field championships are set for this Saturday at Jackson's Track in the Idaho Center Sports Complex at Nampa, Idaho. Returning All-American, Andy Prentice (Sr., Nine Mile Falls, WA), is the favorite in two events. He is the top seed in both the 800 (1:51.74) and the mile (4:10.85). Prentice won the title in the 800 last season and then finished eighth in the event at the national meet in Boston. “All of the distance runners are gunning for Andy. He is the only returning indoor All-American in the conference,” said Saints coach Brad Hooper. “He is an extremely special athlete; he is good at the short and long distances, which is a rare combination.” John Riak, (Fr., Lacey, WA) conference record holder, is the top seed in the men’s 5,000 with a time of 14:54.62. Josh Timmer (So., Tacoma, WA) is the no. 3 seed in the long jump and brother Caleb Timmer (So., Tacoma, WA) is the no. 4 seed in the 800. Bryan Gerry (Fr., Lacey, WA) and Adam Paczkowski (Jr., Oak Harbor, WA) are no. 10 seeds in the 400 and shot put, respectively. On the ladies side, Chelsi Claussen (So., Shelton, WA), returning GNAC Indoor Track Newcomer of the Year, is the no. 4 seed in both the 60 (8.18) and 200 (26.61). Jessica Pendon (Fr., Spanaway, WA) is the no. 4 seed in the 800 (2:20.30) and Janelle Probst (So., Spokane, WA) and Ann McCanick (Jr., Lakewood, WA) are the no. 5 and 6 seeds in the 5000. Lakita Burr (Lakewood, WA) is the no. 10 seed in the 400m. “Chelsi looks poised to do exceptionally well and freshman Jessica Pendon has a legitimate chance to qualify for nationals in the 800,” said Hooper. “We may be small in numbers, but we have some top flight athletes.” The meet begins at 9 a.m. with the women's shot put and high jump. The first running event will be at 11 a.m. with the semifinals of the 60 meter hurdles. Fans may follow the action on the GNAC web site (www.gnacsports.com) as updates will be posted periodically.
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